APPLE TO BUILD 100 PERCENT WIND-POWERED DATA CENTER IN IOWA

Monday, September 17, 2018

Apple announced it will build a new $1.375 billion data center in Waukee, Iowa, which will be 100 percent powered by wind energy. While there are a number of reasons Apple chose this location (second lowest cost of doing business, availability of skilled workers), there’s one reason that is unique to the Hawkeye State – Iowa is the easiest state in the country for companies to purchase renewable energy. Here’s what Apple CEO Tim Cook told Radio Iowa about Iowa’s availability of renewable energy:

“For us, that’s kind of a gate. If we couldn’t do that, we would not be here,” Cook said. “To Iowa’s credit, Iowa saw this and had the vision to work with the utilities and so forth so it could happen. I think that says a lot about the people here and how they work together.”

Governor Kim Reynolds added that Iowa can also ensure more reliable access to electric power, another key factor in Apple's decision.